Sandwiches

Carrot Dogs & Chili Sauce

karenwpullen Main Dishes, Recipes, Sandwiches, Snacks, Dips, and Smoothies , , ,

Hot dogs are a distinctly unhealthy food. Made from slaughter “by-products”, they contain saturated fat and sodium, contributing to higher cholesterol and blood pressure numbers. The main reason to avoid them, though, is the increased cancer risk they pose. Processed meats are classified as a Group 1 carcinogen.

So what’s one to put in a bun that’s equally juicy, salty, and smoky?

Carrots! Shaped like a hot dog, marinated overnight to taste like a hot dog, grilled, and served with all the toppings.

Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Marinating Time8 hours
Total Time8 hours 20 minutes
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Carrot Dogs

Boiled carrots are marinated then grilled.
Course: Main Course, Snack
Servings: 4 carrot dogs

Ingredients

  • 4 carrots
  • ¼ cup soy sauce
  • ½ cup vegetable broth or water
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon maple syrup
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon liquid smoke
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika

Instructions

  • Cut the ends from each carrot to make it the same length as a hot dog bun. Round off the ends. Boil the carrots for about 10 minutes until they can be pierced with a fork but are not soft.
  • Combine the other ingredients to make a marinade.
  • After the carrots are cooked, put them in a container and cover with the marinade. Marinate 8 – 24 hours in the refrigerator.
  • Carrots can be grilled or sautéed in a frying pan. Serve in a hot dog bun with your choice of toppings.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Print Recipe

Chili Sauce

Course: Main Course, Sauces and dressings, Snack
Cuisine: American
Servings: 0

Ingredients

  • 1 onion chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 can lentils, drained or 1 1/2 cups cooked lentils
  • 1 16-oz can tomato sauce
  • 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes

Instructions

  • Sauté the onion and garlic until soft. Add a tablespoon or two of water if they start to stick.
  • Add the remaining ingredients and stir to combine.
  • Simmer 7 – 10 minutes to combine flavors.

Notes

This chili sauce is great for carrot dogs, other vegan hot dogs,  or chili cheese fries.
It would also be good mixed with cooked macaroni.

Soy Curl “Chik’n” Salad

karenwpullen Recipes, Salads, Sandwiches

Soy curls are 100% soy beans, cooked and dehydrated. They contain no no chemicals, additives, or preservatives.

I buy them directly from Butler Foods, and keep them in the refrigerator. My two favorite uses for soy curls are this recipe and a mac & cheeez recipe by JL Fields that I make in the instant pot.

Prep Time20 minutes
Print Recipe

Soy Curl “Chik’n” Salad

Course: Salad, Sandwich, Snack
Cuisine: American, Vegan
Servings: 4

Ingredients

  • 1/2 bag Butler soy curls
  • 2 teaspoons chicken-style bouillon, dissolved in 2 cups water
  • ¼ red onion finely diced
  • 2 celery stalks finely diced
  • 1 tablespoon pickle relish or chopped pickle
  • ¼ cup pecans toasted and chopped
  • ⅓ cup vegan mayo
  • 1 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon mustard

Instructions

  • Bring the broth to a boil, remove from heat, and add the soy curls. Let them hydrate for about 10 minutes.
  • Drain the soy curls. To remove as much moisture as possible, place them in a clean dishtowel, and wring out as much liquid as possible.
  • Chop the soy curls. Add remaining ingredients and mix.
  • Salad will keep 4-5 days in the refrigerator.

Notes

Here’s a vegan mayo recipe.
The nuts aren’t necessary but I like the crunch!
You can also add chopped apple, dried cranberries, or sliced grapes.
Serve it on a cracker, in a sandwich, or on a bed of lettuce.

Black Bean Sweet Potato Quesadillas

karenwpullen Recipes, Sandwiches, Snacks, Dips, and Smoothies , , , ,
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
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Black Bean Sweet Potato Quesadillas

Course: Appetizer, Main Course, Snack
Cuisine: American, Mexican
Servings: 6 tortillas

Ingredients

  • 1 can black beans about 1 ½ cups, drained
  • 1 large sweet potato peeled
  • 1 cup plant-based queso sauce
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 ½ teaspoon chili powder
  • ¾ teaspoon salt
  • 6 tortillas whole grain

Instructions

  • Spiralize or dice the sweet potato.
  • Put the sweet potato in a sauté pan with the chili powder, cumin, and salt. Cook, adding a bit of water or broth if it starts to stick, until it is soft — about 8 to 10 minutes.
  • To make one quesadilla: Place a tortilla in a 10-inch warmed pan. Drizzle queso on the tortilla. To one half of the tortilla, add 1/6 of the sweet potato and 1/6 of the black beans.
  • Fold the other half of the tortilla over. Toast one side at a time.

Notes

I recommend my cheezy queso sauce with this recipe.